In 1959, he registered his business at the Mecidiyekoy Tax Office and started his professional life trading construction equipment, as well as passenger and other commercial vehicles.

Doğan founded his first industrial company in 1974 and joined both the Assembly and the Administrative Board of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.

The Doğan Media Holding he founded incorporates the newspapers Posta, Hürriyet, Radikal, Fanatik and Turkish Daily News, and 21 TV channels in Turkey and abroad.

Doğan Holding claimed that the decision to impose a tax fine to the group was based on "subjective" evaluations.

This implication was voiced strongly by the spokespersons of international bodies like the European Union, while the issue became a priority item in Turkish political agenda.

An agreement was concluded and in October 2012, Doğan paid the remainder of the agreed fine earlier than scheduled and thus resolved the tax issue completely.

All of his daughters actively take part in the running of Doğan Holding businesses both public and private as chairwomen of respective boards.