March 25 marks the day of Freedom of Speech
It is already a year since Gyumri's GALA TV, thanks to the combined efforts of tens of thousands of Armenians, won a victory in a struggle for restoring freedom of speech.
A telethon raised over 20 million drams in seven days paying off GALA's tax debt.
Тhe debt was fully settled on March 25. According to GALA TV "as of March 25, 5:15 pm, Chap LLC, the founder of GALA TV was able to pay the bailiffs the "debt," imposed by the State Tax Service of RoA Government and enforced by the Administrative Court." Ten thousand people of various social groups representing civil society, some of whom had never watched GALA, took part in the nationwide fund raising campaign.
Upon the initiave of Asparez Journalists' Club March 25 marks the day for Freedom of Speech.
Today Gyumri-based Asparez Journalists' Club celebrates the holiday in Gyumri. A press conference will be given at 2.00 p.m., followed by a walkabout through the old city and a dinner party at 5.00.
Levon Barseghyan, chairman of Asparez Journalists' Club, says they will propose a toast to all those who had their share in GALA's victory.
