In global news, language barriers are unavoidable, and translation is often seen as a bridge. But when audiences do not understand the original words, translators can hold extraordinary power over how a message is received.

In this episode of Facts Tell, we unpack how mistranslation can reshape reality in international reporting. From the viral English subtitles attached to Somali-language remarks by US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar to the disputed interpretation of Chinese factory dialogue in the French program Cash Investigation, we examine how subtitles can distort meaning, reinforce existing narratives and create impressions that differ sharply from what was actually said.

Watch the full episode, share your thoughts in the comments and follow CGTN for more analysis on how global stories are shaped through language, framing and interpretation.