Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg attended a public forum in Columbia on Wednesday where he spoke on several topics such as how sharing and messaging tools are essential components of free speech. Also Zuckerberg expressed his concern about terrorism throughout the world.
Freedom of speech
Recently there were attacks in France that led him to discuss the benefits of connecting people across the world and efforts made by Facebook for the same.
Freedom of speech is a notion that has caused a lot of struggle around the world. Zuckerberg believes the terrorist attack that took place at the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, is a part of the struggle for the freedom of speech. “We’re trying to connect everyone in the world and give everyone a voice,” he said. “This is about freedom of expression.”
The philosophy of running a startup was also discussed by Zuckerberg as part of his talks. “Ideas typically do not just come to you,” he said. “They happen because you’ve been talking to people for a long time.” He said building companies is more of a journey with many contributing, but media make it sound like more of a one-man-show, and this, according to the Facebook CEO, discourages others from contributing.
Facebook committed to internet access for all
The comments were made by Zuckerberg at his first public forum outside the U.S. and third public forum in all. He also discussed his Internet.org initiative at the forum. Zuckerberg wanted to spread awareness about the initiative, for which he visited Columbia. His purpose was to provide people around the globe the facility of free or low-cost internet connections. Zuckerberg further informed listeners that the company struck an agreement for providing free access to limited internet on cell phones throughout the country.
To simulate internet connections in other countries, a laboratory has been built that will help engineers in developing apps and services that could reach broader audiences. The efforts are already paying off, as Facebook’s mobile app now uses only 10% of the data it used to use around one and a half years ago, said Zuckerberg.
