In a debate on the programme 360° on CNN Prima NEWS about the possible effects of abolishing television and radio fees, MP Jindřich Rajchl, elected for SPD, and the first deputy chairman of KDU-ČSL, Benjamin Činčila, clashed sharply. The abolition of the fees is being pushed by the governing coalition of ANO, SPD and the Motorists.[1]
Arguments about the fees
Rajchl defended voluntary payment of the fees and compared it to a motorway vignette. In his view, people should not pay for a service they do not use. Činčila objected that by the same logic people could choose which services and policies to support with their taxes. In his words, public-service television serves the whole of society, not only viewers according to their personal preferences.[1]
Statements during the debate
Rajchl called external collaborators of Czech Television "parasites", saying they draw billions of crowns from a public-service institution, and claimed that they have overpriced contracts. Činčila reproached him for behaving like a "lout". The presenter, Pavlína Wolfová, called for people working as self-employed contractors not to be described as parasites.[1]
Reactions after the programme
On social media, Činčila described Rajchl's style of communication as unacceptable and said that the Christian Democrats want politics that brings hope instead of hatred. On Facebook, Rajchl repeated his opposition to the fees, which he called an outdated relic.[1]