Behind every headline lies a process.

Data, expert reports and subtitles are often treated as neutral sources of information. But how are they produced, interpreted and presented?

This Facts Tell collection brings together three episodes examining how narratives surrounding China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are shaped. From statistical analysis and think tank influence to the power of translation, each episode explores a different layer of the information chain and invites viewers to look beyond the headlines.

Featured in this collection

When data misleads: The hidden tricks behind 'objective' reports

In today's media landscape, reports from NGOs and think tanks are often treated as objective fact and widely disseminated by major news outlets. But how reliable are the numbers behind these reports?

In this episode, we take a closer look at two widely referenced reports on Xinjiang. By examining their data sources, sampling methods and statistical reasoning, we break down how sweeping conclusions were drawn from limited or misinterpreted data.

How influence flows: Money, power and think tanks

Think tanks and NGOs are often treated as neutral sources of truth. But how independent are they, really?

In this episode, we look at CHRD and ASPI – two widely cited institutions – and examine how funding, structure and political ties may shape their research and conclusions. When "authoritative reports" make headlines, it is worth asking: who is behind them and what influences their narrative?

Reality, mistranslated: When subtitles speak louder than sound

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, 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.