Dr. Karlekar is the managing editor of Freedom of the Press, an annual index that tracks trends in media freedom worldwide. As well as coordinating the ratings and editorial process for the index and writing a number of the country reports, she also serves as the spokesperson for Freedom House on media issues, and represents the organization at numerous conferences, workshops, and events on the topics of media indicators and press freedom. In addition, she is coordinator of a new pilot index of internet and digital media freedom that is being developed by Freedom House. She has conducted research and assessment missions to Nigeria, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, and has traveled extensively in Asia and Africa. She also represents Freedom House in the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) network, where she currently serves as Convenor, or head of IFEX’s governing council. Prior to joining Freedom House, Dr. Karlekar was an editor at the Economist Intelligence Unit and also served as a consultant to Human Rights Watch. She holds a Ph.D. in Indian History from Cambridge University, England.