Talks of nominations for the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize are doing the rounds and top of the list is one nominee: the Internet. Supporters are backing it for its role in promoting dialogue across the globe. From bringing out voices in conflict-torn regions to sharing ideas, the Internet is encouraging communication.

Precisely the same reasons why the Iran government, it seems, has banned gmail. Close on the heels of the Google-China standoff come media reports which say that Iran has ‘permanently suspended access’ to gmail. Its instead rolling out a national mail service which will help nurture better ties between the government and its citizens.

Critics are not just questioning the move, but also its timing. The Iranian Government’s decision comes just around the first anniversary of the protests that marked its last elections. And analysts feel this is yet another move by the authorities to tighten their hold on media and communication.

Analyse this and the Google-China episode, and one fact emerges clear: the Internet does have the potential to spread ideas and voice opinions. (Whether they are ones of dissent or promote peace depends on who views them and what interests they promote.) But what you can’t ignore is its ability to cut across regional and ideological backgrounds to bring an issue to the fore.

Sometimes, a ban is all it needs to make something more popular. With a mail service making it to the list of forbidden and an Internet giant articulating censorship concerns, online media sure is taking the limelight.

A couple of more bans and clamps downs, and these may be the very things that help the Internet make it to the list of Peace Prize winners. One question though: who will walk down the red carpet to collect it?