Most states (including New York) are one party consent states, meaning that it is legal to record a conversation as long as one party to the conversation (usually the person recording it) consents.
California and Maryland are two party consent states, meaning that both parties to a conversation have to consent.
The issue is the audio, not the video.
When recording liberals, it is best to avoid one party consent states, particularly when the state attorney generals are Democrats.
I'm betting that either Maryland or California will try to prosecute the journalists exposing ACORN, just like Maryland tried to prosecute Linda Tripp for exposing Bill Clinton.
It doesn't matter that no liberal would ever be prosecuted for running a similar sting operation on a conservative group. It doesn't even matter whether there is any possibility of a conviction. All that matters is making an example of anyone who dares try to expose a liberal.
Well what's going to happen in the future is people will just video without giving up their identity. Some will actually still do this making sure they get enough good stuff to use as a bargaining chip. In the end the true value is that every ACORN office is now on alert and will temporarily follow the rules while looking at everyone with suspicion. These two heroes have put ACORN, at least in it's current configuration before they break apart and and get absorbed by similar groups, on a death spiral. Bless them!