Zülfikar Doğan began his journalistic career in 1976 at Yankı magazine, and for a long time worked at newspapers Milliyet, Posta and Finansal Forum. He wrote columns for Akşam newspaper on economic and political issues. He also worked as the Ankara representative for Star newspaper and 24 TV.

Doğan has worked as a economic and political commentator for TRT, NTV and CNBC, as well as serving as a Turkey correspondent for BBC, Deutsche Welle and Radio Sweden.

He was one of the founders and one-time president of the Economy Reporters' Association. He has been awarded journalist of the year by the Turkish Journalists' Association, the Contemporary Journalists' Association and MÜSİAD.