Exactly. Permitting discussion of the partial truth out in the open is a strategy, just like every strategy that was employed to conceal the truth in the first place. It's not necessarily a sign of paradigm shift and certainly not a sign of contrition.

If the truth is a river and their authoritarian control is a shoddy dam, destined for collapse, opening more sluices in the dam helps reduce pressure and keep it alive longer. It doesn't mean the river is really flowing and it doesn't preclude the existence of another dam construction site, a little downstream.