Facebook users in Iran got a surprise Saturday when they tried to log onto their profiles. The popular social networking site returned an error message in what is being called an attempt to prevent candidates from campaigning online ahead of the June 12th.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has since denied the ban came from the government.

We’re looking at this story with perspectives from around the world – beginning with ABC News.

A Virginia Tech professor sees the web as an equalizer for opposition candidates, who have limited use of state media.

“...everyone knows that [state] radio and television in Iran are pretty much monopolized by the conservatives, so it's very hard for reformist candidates to publicize their message. The Internet is more democratic.” (ABC News)

So let’s take a closer look...

Mir Hossein Mousavi, the candidate that poses the most serious threat to Ahmadinejad, has over 6,000 supporters on his Facebook page.

When the site was blocked, Mousavi posted links on his Twitter page that allowed users to get around the restrictions, writing:

“We're working on new ways to break the Facebook filter in Iran.” (Twitter)

However - Mousavi’s camp says other candidates will have to deal with this as well. A senior aide told Al Jazeera English:

“Every single media outlet that is seen as competition for Ahmadinejad is at risk of being closed. Placing limits on the competition is the top priority of the government.” (Al Jazeera English)

But will limits work?

France 24 brings the perspective that the next generation will continue to look for freedom online..

“Many young people are tired of the restrictions in their everyday life and eager for change. They’re upset about the ban, but they’re confident they’ll find a way around it.” (France 24)

Once again – as we said at the start of this story – Iran’s President denies the ban came from the government.

So what do you think?