1.
If you describe an event as ~, you mean that it happened earlier than it should, or sooner than you expected.
His mother’s ~ death had a catastrophic effect on him...
= premature
ADJ: usu ADJ n
2.
You can describe something as ~ if it happens at an unsuitable time.
...an ~ visit from the milkman...
I am sure your readers would have seen the article as at best ~.
= ill-timed
ADJ