Iran blocks Facebook just before presidential elections

by Merry Rebel | May 25, 2009 at 01:25 am
905 views | 64 Recommendations | 5 comments

Islamic Republic of Iran, a theocratic state, has blocked user access to the renowned social networking site - Facebook.

The Iranian government has blocked access to the social networking site Facebook amid political jockeying for the June 12 presidential elections, according to the semi-official Iranian Labour News Agency.


This move seems to be a direct response to President Ahmadinejad's opponents using technology to reach voters.

Reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi -- a former prime minister considered a threat to current hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad -- created a Facebook page for his campaign that has more than 5,000 supporters on the site.

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Iran blocks Facebook just before presidential elections

Iran blocks Facebook just before presidential elections

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uploaded by Merry Rebel

Those seeking access were denied access with a message in Farsi (Persian) saying, "Access to this site is not possible".

Those attempting to visit Facebook received a message in Farsi saying, "Access to this site is not possible," according to CNN personnel in Tehran.

ILNA (Iranian Labour News Agency) reported this move as a joint venture of Iran's intelligence ministry, judiciary and others.

ILNA reported the Masadiq Committee, made up of representatives from Iran's intelligence ministry, judiciary and others had ordered the action.

According to ILNA, no reason has been given for the block.

After a few hours, the blockage was lifted, but was then reinstated, ILNA said. No reason was given for the block.
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Uwe Paschen

Thank you for the post on this news.

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Merry Rebel

You're welcome, Paschen.

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Babel-Fish

Its blocked on the countries IP address at a guess

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Jordan Yerman

Apparently, Facebook has been un-banned in Iran:

A report published today on the website of the Iranian Labor News Agency, or ILNA, said Facebook was now accessible for ordinary Web surfers. 
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Merry Rebel

Thanks for the update, Jordan.

This story was created over 3 months ago, the comment thread is now closed.

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