Fabiana Pacella is an investigative journalist, recipient of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize in 2020 and Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2024). For the past 25 years, she has covered crime and justice with a strong commitment against the mafia, injustice, and in defense of civil rights.

Her investigations, often conducted at great personal risk, have led to threats, SLAPP lawsuits (all dismissed), two trials from which she was acquitted, and significant judicial outcomes, including the dissolution of the municipality of Carmiano (Lecce) for mafia infiltration. She has worked across television, print, radio, and online media, collaborating with Corriere della Sera, Sole24Ore, Liberainformazione, La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno, and Articolo21.

Today, she leads social anti-mafia projects in schools throughout Salento and organizes public events on press freedom and legality. Her dedication has earned her numerous awards, including the national Virtù e Conoscenza Prize, the Gozzo di Monopoli Prize for press freedom, and several honors for her courage in standing up to organized crime. A doctoral thesis at the University of Sunderland (UK) was devoted to her work.