There is another side to this I suggest:
The provision of a 'basic' briefing and weather service on a free to the user basis is justified if it is likely to contribute to flight safety and avoid any accidents etc. Especially to VFR operations.
Sure there is a responsibility on the pilot to obtain the appropriate information, but if the system or the culture does not provide easy access or encourage its use then it must also be to blame if anything happens.
If a pilot goes missing with no plan and having not obtained weather etc., then who foots the bill for the search... yes you guessed it YOU and ME, the tax payer. I would much rather my taxes (as a community service obligation) go towards establishing a user friendly system that encourages its use than have to pay out ten times the amount for a search!
One decent search avoided per annum would pay for the service and give change. Cheap insurance from the Governments point of view I suggest.