Cotton is one of the major raw materials in textile processing. Among natural fibers, it leads with about 80%. Looking back over the long term of centuries, cotton, wool, silk, hemp, etc., formed the foundation of the world economy and the textile supply chain. (Just think of the Silk Road to understand the importance of natural fibres to the world economy over the centuries.) Expanding beyond textiles, cotton as an agricultural product holds immense significance for farming-oriented regions of the world. However, the position of cotton within textile raw materials has shifted in response to a noticeable increase in fibre demand, combined with increasingly modified expectations for textile performance and, in particular, an industry that has become more and more price-sensitive over the last few decades. Nevertheless, cotton remains a highly suitable raw material for many sectors. One phenomenon, however, is the attributes often ascribed to it by the media. Specifically, its production is frequently portrayed negatively, with ecological and social information drawn from the oldest possible sources. These strange, self-perpetuating examples of misinformation even influence political decisions. But what is the real story? This presentation will take a closer look at these issues.