On the initiative of "Asparez Journalists' Club," March 25 was celebrated in the second city of Armenia, Gyumri as "Freedom of Speech Day." A year ago that day, the founder of GALA TV (Chap LLC) was able to pay the "debt" of 25 million AMD - fines demanded on false and unproven grounds by tax authorities and certified by court without considering witnesses' testimonies.

GALA became a target of tax check-ups, fines, court trials and persecutions after it broadcast the speech delivered by the first president of Armenia in October 2007. About ten thousand citizens of Armenia and Diaspora had their share in the nationwide fundraising campaign that lasted a week from March 19 to 25, thereby saving the TV station from being shut down. Due to fundraising was it possible to preserve broadcasting frequency license, free and independent television company and freedom of expression and information for the viewers.

Amalia Kostanyan, Chairwoman of Transparency International Anti-corruption Center, said at the press conference in Gyumri devoted to that Day, "Alas the authorities never make positive inferences. It makes them apply new technologies to suppress freedom of speech, by using legislative, administrative resources, power, fear and all the leverages that the power possesses."