EDITORS NOTE
Dear readers,
I have ultimately decided to remove the “Café Gentrification” article because it was not worth the confusion and questions it generated. To be clear, I am a staunch believer in free speech and freedom of expression. If you’re curious, the article remains archived and accessible [here].
This decision was not made due to poor writing or because I personally disagree with the piece. Simply put, the article goes against Bushwick Daily’s mission. Leaving it on the site would misrepresent who we are and what we aim to do. While the piece could find a home in another publication or on a personal blog, it does not align with Bushwick Daily’s standards.
Why Doesn’t This Article Fit Bushwick Daily?
To address this question directly, let me first reiterate our mission and values.
Bushwick Daily’s Mission
Bushwick Daily is a progressive hyperlocal news outlet serving and celebrating Bushwick, East Williamsburg, and Ridgewood. Founded in 2009, we are an independent media company dedicated to covering community issues, events, food, art, and culture.
Criticism of local establishments, when constructive and fair, is within our purview. However, the “Café Gentrification” article crossed a line. Its sole purpose seemed to be skewering the café proprietors and mocking their food. While such an opinion may have value elsewhere, it conflicts with our commitment to constructive discourse and thoughtful journalism.
Policy Violations
- Lack of Constructive Criticism
- Bushwick Daily does not shy away from critical reporting, but criticism must serve a purpose beyond ridicule. This piece failed to meet that bar.
- Violation of Restaurant Review Standards
- Our policy on restaurant reviews explicitly requires speaking with owners to ensure fairness and balance. The journalist made no effort to contact the café owners or give them an opportunity to respond, a basic standard of ethical journalism.
- Absence of Original Reporting
- Most critically, the journalist conducted no original reporting for this piece beyond eating guacamole. While they note that the ownership has been accessible to other outlets like Vox and Eater, they made no attempt to interview anyone, gather quotes, or conduct additional research themselves.
Original reporting is the foundation of Bushwick Daily. While our team is small and stretched thin, original reporting is what distinguishes us and keeps us relevant. By failing to uphold this standard, the article undermined the very ethos of our publication.
Conclusion
The decision to remove this article reflects the values Bushwick Daily has maintained for the past 15 years. Our editorial guidelines, developed and refined by six different editors, are rooted in our mission to provide thoughtful, community-centered journalism.
I encourage anyone interested in understanding these principles further to review our Bushwick Daily Style and Reference Guide, which we are now making public for full transparency. It is not a new policy but a longstanding framework that has guided us since the beginning.
Ultimately, Bushwick Daily stands for original reporting, constructive criticism, and ethical journalism. The “Café Gentrification” article, while an interesting read, fell short of these standards, and that is why it was removed.
Sincererly,
Alec Meeker
Editor in Chief, Bushwick Daily
Guidelines for Food and Drink articles as written in the Style and Reference Guide:
