Official updates posted on Weibo microblog are a novel development but not enough to satisfy calls for transparency
Bo Xilai's long-awaited trial is an "open" one, officials have declared – even if the courtroom is firmly off limits to independent observers.
For the first time in a major trial authorities have offered a microblog feed of proceedings, with the Jinan court's Sina Weibo account providing a regular stream of details– though early posts were along the anodyne lines of "the defence lawyers enter the court".
Yet the details seen by the public are scanty compared with the last trial this politically charged: the 1980 case against the Gang of Four for their crimes in the Cultural Revolution. Excerpts from that were broadcast nationwide and an audience of hundreds was invited to watch.
Zhang Sizhi, who defended Mao Zedong's wife in that case, described Bo's case as a step backwards. "These trials should be open to the public; the trial of Jiang Qing had a greater degree of openness than right now," said the lawyer.
"The question is whether posting on Weibo can answer any questions. It's still all posted and controlled by the people from the court. It's not really live; it's not transparent.
"They should let the public follow this trial."
He said that while Jiang's case was not absolutely open – those who came to court were selected carefully from each province – many more people were allowed to attend than are sitting in on Bo's trial.
The Jinan intermediate people's court microblog – which amassed around 150,000 followers in a matter of hours – said 19 journalists were attending, as well as relatives of Bo and others. But they will be a carefully selected cohort from state media organisations.
Foreign media who requested the right to attend were told that while they would be welcome, unfortunately all seats had already been assigned. Court employees said a media briefing would be held when proceedings had adjourned.
There had been rumours in Hong Kong media that a live feed would be streamed to foreign journalists at a nearby hotel. Propaganda officials for the court and Jinan government denied this and it always seemed highly implausible.
The lesson they may have taken from the Gang of Four's trial is that Jiang Qing took the opportunity of an audience to voice her defiance repeatedly. "I have no doubt that it will be an open drama: a drama in the sense of a play that is well orchestrated and dictated by the leadership with, if at all possible, no surprises," said David Bandurski of Hong Kong University's China Media Project.
"With true openness you can have the unexpected and that's the last thing they want in this case. It's new to have Weibo involvement, but despite that it's the same story as before.
"It's not even a bone they are throwing to the public in response to great interest in the case. It's a public relations strategy ...The point of the prosecution is that they have to shore up their own political legitimacy: it has to be seen not as the outcome of political infighting and internecine rivalries between princelings. They have to create the perception that law is being exercised here."
While some Weibo users welcomed the feed, others were more cynical. One wrote: "Bo's trial shows social justice and that the words 'everyone is equal in front of the law' are not empty."
Others responded: "Demand video! Live Weibo like this is not reliable!" and "No picture – no truth!"
