本研究探討獨立記者如何生存發展？如何互助培力？如何與大眾媒體互動？筆者分析21位臺灣代表性獨立記者的實踐經驗及其所處傳播生態，結果發現：獨立記者幾乎都是組合式工作者，組合多樣工作和財源來維生。主要財源包括：供稿給大眾媒體和獨立媒體的稿費、出書版稅、政府補助或委辦、公益組織贊助、學術機構支持、公眾捐助、演講等專業服務，以及產品開發和銷售等。獨立記者從單打獨鬥走向相互扶持。weReport幫忙募集採訪資金、獨立媒體工作者協會開課培力，新聞從業人員工會處理勞保健保等問題。獨立記者和這些組織形成相輔相成、共存共榮的生態系。獨立記者在大眾媒體外部實踐專業，但與堅持獨立精神的大眾媒體及其記者密切合作。獨立記者供稿給這些大眾媒體、或與這些媒體合製新聞；並且和這些記者一起爭取勞動權益、一起壯大獨立新聞生態系。

The Internet era brings up new possibilities for Taiwan journalists looking for more professional independence from mainstream media. Based on in-depth interviews with 21 representative cases, this article investigates their survival strategies and mutual assistance mechanisms. The results show that independent journalists tend to survive on a combined mode, with multiple jobs and incomes for maintaining livelihoods. Their sources of incomes include: freelance payments by mainstream media and independent media, royalties from their published books or related products, earnings from activities subsidized by government, non-profit organizations, or from professional services for academic institutes, etc. Independent journalists who used to struggle alone have started to cooperate among themselves with mutual supports. Now they have weReport raising funds for news interviews, Independent Journalists Association offering training programs, and Journalists Union taking care of their insurance needs. They share a relationship of symbiosis with these various forms of organizations. While working outside of mass media, these independent journalists could still cooperate with those who share similar independent spirits, media organizations or journalists alike. Normally, they would freelance to these media, co-produce news with their journalists, and fight together for their common labor rights, hoping to strengthen the ecosystem of independent journalism.