The group owns two newspapers (the national Media Indonesia and the regional Lampung Post), three television networks (Metro TV, BN Channel, and Magna Channel), and a radio station MG Radio Network.

Media Group began as a catering company called PT Indocater.

Paloh first started media when he founded the holding company PT Surya Persindo and published the newspaper Prioritas on 2 May 1986.

However, because it was considered too critical, the newspaper was shut down by the government on 29 June 1987.

Paloh grew the business through acquisitions, such as Media Indonesia in 1987, Vista TV magazine in 1988, Detik in 1992, local newspapers in various regions such as Aceh Post, Cahaya Siang, Gala, and Peristiwa, and MetroTV in 1999.