However, this is an article written by a researcher in a particular field, published on the website of the best-known and most reputable journal in that field,

However, this is an article written by a researcher in a particular field, published on the website of the best-known and most reputable journal in that field, trying to get a message out to members of that same field, about a topic that nobody wants to discuss. It seems like a pretty appropriate use of "We need to talk about ..." to me.