The Columbia Chronicle
Columbia, Pennsylvania
October 9, 2026
Residents of Columbia deserve accurate information from every government agency that serves our community. That is why The Columbia Chronicle is publishing this open letter regarding an interaction that occurred during a recent livestream on a public sidewalk in Columbia Borough.
The video in question can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/columbiapa.online/videos/1444152234335717/
According to The Columbia Chronicle’s observations, at approximately 38:40 into the livestream, our staff was conducting an interview with the Vice President of the Columbia Borough Athletic Association (CBAA) on a public sidewalk. During the interview, a United States Postal Service carrier could be seen performing her normal delivery duties in public view.
At approximately 39:40 into the livestream, the Columbia Postmaster approached members of The Columbia Chronicle. During that interaction, the Postmaster asserted that recording the carrier was illegal and, according to our understanding of the exchange, threatened that arrests could occur if recording continued.
Following the incident, The Columbia Chronicle reviewed state and federal law and was unable to locate any law that generally prohibits citizens or journalists from recording a postal employee performing official duties while visible from a public street or public sidewalk.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, whose jurisdiction includes Pennsylvania, has recognized a First Amendment right to record public officials performing their duties in public. In Fields v. City of Philadelphia, the court held that citizens have a constitutional right to photograph, film, and record government officials engaged in public duties.
Pennsylvania law likewise generally permits video recording in public places. The Pennsylvania Wiretap Act, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5703, regulates certain private oral communications but does not generally prohibit recording activity plainly visible in public where no reasonable expectation of privacy exists.
During our review, we found no federal statute, Pennsylvania law, or Columbia Borough ordinance that would make it illegal to stand on a public sidewalk and record a postal employee carrying out official duties in public view.
Our concern is not with the mail carrier involved. Postal employees provide an important service to Columbia residents every day, and they deserve respect while performing their duties.
Our concern is with the claim that recording a government employee from a public sidewalk is illegal.
After the livestream, The Columbia Chronicle prepared a written request asking for clarification from the Columbia Post Office regarding the legal basis for that claim.
When we attempted to deliver the letter, we were informed by the employee on duty that the letter would likely “get lost” by the time she left work at approximately 3:00 p.m. We were also advised that the facility did not have security cameras that could document the interaction. Because we wanted our request on record, we left the letter on the public counter before departing.
If any portion of these events has been misunderstood, we welcome clarification from the Columbia Post Office and the United States Postal Service and will publish any response in full.
Accordingly, The Columbia Chronicle respectfully asks:
- What specific federal, state, or local law makes it illegal to record a postal employee from a public sidewalk?
- Was any postal employee counseled or disciplined because a member of the public lawfully recorded in a public place?
- Does the Columbia Post Office maintain that citizens may be arrested for recording postal activities visible from a public street?
- What guidance is provided to postal employees regarding interactions with journalists and members of the public engaged in lawful recording?
- What is the proper procedure for delivering correspondence addressed to local postal management?
This issue matters because it extends beyond one livestream or one postal employee.
If a government agency tells residents that lawful activities are illegal, the public has a right to ask questions.
If a government agency threatens arrest for constitutionally protected activity, the public has a right to ask questions.
And if public officials are mistaken about the law, the public has a right to respectfully request a correction.
The Columbia Chronicle invites residents to review the video for themselves, read the cited legal authorities, and draw their own conclusions.
We remain willing to publish any response from the Columbia Post Office, the United States Postal Service, or any party involved.
Respectfully,
The Columbia Chronicle -Jesse Sweigart
Columbia, Pennsylvania
Sources
Fields v. City of Philadelphia, 862 F.3d 353 (3d Cir. 2017)
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca3/16-1650/16-1650-2017-07-07.html
18 Pa.C.S. § 5703 – Pennsylvania Wiretap Act
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.057.003.000..HTM
Pennsylvania Public Recording Law Overview
https://www.recordinglaw.com/party-two-party-consent-states/pennsylvania-recording-laws/public-recording/
Pennsylvania Video Recording Law Overview
https://www.recordinglaw.com/party-two-party-consent-states/pennsylvania-recording-laws/video/
Recording in Public: Your Legal Rights When Filming Events and People
https://www.findlaw.com/civilrights/enforcing-your-civil-rights/recording-in-public-your-legal-rights-when-filming-events-and-people.html
According to the USPS’ own Poster 7 which is required to be posted inside every post office, photographs and video may be taken in common areas, foyers and such. Now regarding outside, on a public sidewalk…a postal employee may be photographed and videotaped as they are in public. They have no expectation of privacy in public regardless of their position in government.
We know our rights, but they don’t. Calling all first amendment auditors we need your help in Columbia, Pa’s post office!