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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 R/Nn9wq9nRwEvAP8aS0eFQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000216539-04-000118.txt : 20040901
<SEC-HEADER>0000216539-04-000118.hdr.sgml : 20040901
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040901115759
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000216539-04-000118
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040731
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040901
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040901

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DICKINSON STEPHEN Y
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001185327

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-06383
		FILM NUMBER:		041010202

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2501 CROMWELL ROAD
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23235

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MEDIA GENERAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000216539
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NEWSPAPERS:  PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING [2711]
		IRS NUMBER:				540850433
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 E FRANKLIN ST
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23219
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8046496000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 E FRANKLIN ST
		CITY:			RICHMOND
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23219
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000216539</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MEDIA GENERAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>meg</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001185327</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DICKINSON STEPHEN Y</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Controller</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-07-31</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Class A common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>591</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Units acquired under Company deferred compensation plan, final balance of which distributed upon employee's termination of service.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Upon retirement employee has several options as to the timing and form of payout.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Additionally, 11,293 non-derivative Class A common shares are held directly.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Stephen Y. Dickinson, by George L. Mahoney, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-09-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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