This is like asking if Spanish should be considered free speech. Or watercoloring. Or interpretive dance.

Regardless of the medium, speech is protected ("free") depending on its contents and context.

IANAL.

Software code is a “work” of the author, and is protected in many different ways as to uniqueness and ownership. “Speech” may not necessarily be one of the most relevant protections, but it could depending on the functionality.

Here is a related article that addresses software code protection:

https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2017/12/designers-copyright...