The phrase "distorted picture" means that the image or information you are receiving is not accurate or true. It is like looking at a picture that has been messed up or changed so you can't see the real or clear picture. Full definition
What I don't like is how distorted the picture is on all sides. (writerunboxed.com)
It's too bad that so many of our media and policy elites live in these two atypical places because they are giving us a very distorted picture of special education. (educationnext.org)
Rail companies counter that further access data only threatens to distort the picture as to the cause of shipper delays, and other members of the supply chain are not compelled to report similar operational data. (business.financialpost.com)