IF you were Bulgarian, waking up between 7am and 9.30 am and in the habit of preparing for the day with a cup of coffee in front of the TV, then Nikolai Barekov would probably be one of the first to bid you "Dobro utro". Barekov is the male part of the duo that hosts bTV's morning program "Tazi Sutrin" (This Morning). Every morning he brings to the studio politicians, public officials, executives and public figures to discuss the hottest events of the day, and tries to extract news from them.

At only 32, he is already an influential journalist with a unique style and affection for political analysis. Although he claims that ending up with some news is not the most important thing in an interview, producing news is what Nikolai Barekov does. "We've got news" is his favourite refrain - so often used, that at some point he was mocked about that. bTV's "Novinite" (The News) regularly cites newsworthy things that newsworthy people said on Barekov's show.

The young journalist confesses that the line "We've got news" has become parasitic to his everyday shows, but it also became his trademark that sold him to audiences. He adds that nowadays his guests themselves feel obliged to produce news. Major characters from the day's top events try to get on his show. Like a quartet of customs workers who were fired for corruption, and came into the studio to talk about what is not talked about out loud, if one wants to stay safe and sound. Barekov also loves to invite in his studio politicians who are no longer in power, because "They say things they were silent about when they were in power," Barekov says. Most ministers from the former right government and even former PM Ivan Kostov have been his guests.

"Very strong accusations have been made on my show," Barekov says. Most recently, it was in his morning show that MP Emil Koshlukov first said that top generals from the Interior Ministry were connected to organised crime in Bulgaria. A few days later, some generals were fired, others reappointed, and in Barekov's opinion that was related to what was said in his show. According to him, the Bulgarian media is truly the fourth estate. "If it wasn't, then politicians wouldn't come to us themselves," Barekov adds. "Politicians have great responsibilities towards society, and I would like to make them discharge these properly," Barekov said.

His dream has always been "to be in television," because it is the most powerful media. With its combination of images and sound, it affords the greatest opportunity to influence people. "Some journalists may use that opportunity to impose their own opinions, but I try to be objective," he said. "There is some room in journalism for art and creativity, but it's mostly about doing your job well."

Barekov already has 10 years of journalistic experience behind him: five in radio, then one year at BNT, two years at Evropa TV, where he became popular with his political talk show "Nedelya 5 i 10" (Sunday 10 past 5), and now two years at bTV. "When bTV invited me, I didn't give it much thought, this was an invitation one cannot refuse. At present, bTV is the best channel in Bulgaria," Barekov says.

As his greatest achievement so far, he considers his live interviews with Bulgarian political leaders, artists and intellectuals, which started in his show on Evropa TV, and continued on bTV. Among them are interviews with former President Petar Stoyanov - only two months after his stepping down from the presidency; Nadezhda Mihailova in the very hour she was elected leader of the UDF; and BSP leader Sergei Stanishev getting up at 7am to participate live on Barekov's show. The peak was his interview with the present PM Simeon Saxe - Coburg on the occasion of the 800th day since his election.

His next goal is an interview with the present Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov, who according to Barekov, has grown immensely. "He started off as a politician and he became a statesman," Barekov says. "I would like to hear his opinion on the current political situation through the prism of his position," Barekov says.

Barekov does not consider himself a good journalist. "I lack experience and routine," he says. "Routine is good, because it helps you react better in difficult situations, but at the same time it is bad, because it makes you think you know everything and gives you a false sense of security," he adds. Still there are a few journalists who, in his opinion, have gained much experience, but their shows have not become routine, such as Kevork Kevorkian (host of the programme Vsiaka Nedelya) and Ivan Garelov (former host of the Panorama programme). He also rates highly Neri Terzieva (a former journalist and press representative of the previous President, Petar Stoyanov) and Georgi Koritarov (formerly of Radio Free Europe). Barekov considers these as his teachers and mentors. He is not trying to copy them, but to be as good as them - or even better.

Barekov considers himself a happy person - because he loves what he does for living. "Sometimes I think I'm very boring, but I'm always in the centre of tremendous pressure and a variety of fascinating events," he says. "I must be one of those people who are destined to live an interesting life without making any effort."

On a more personal side, Barekov loves having fun in loud companies and parties, but lately he has not had enough time. "My day starts at 4 a.m.!" he says. His favourite way to relax is travelling and spending time with his loved ones. "I try to get out of Sofia at least for two days every week; and if I can, even out of Bulgaria." A favourite destination is his hometown, Plovdiv, where his family still lives. There Barekov is the biggest hero - because he is the local boy who showed he could succeed in Sofia and excel beyond those in the capital.