從各國另類媒體的發展與經驗來看，另類媒體經營不僅在技術的使用，仍需考量其物質基礎與社會條件，並且各國另類媒體的經營模式，往往因其所處社會情境及經營者角色定位與經營目的而有所不同。因此，在討論另類媒體的社會實踐，以及網際網路的「強大功能」的同時，仍需要進一步的追問其存在的外部歷史條件為何？在這樣的條件下，會發展出什麼樣的形態？為了回答上述的問題，本研究將以台灣、香港另類／獨立媒體為研究對象，回應上述問題，並進行跨國比較。

In regard to the development and experiences of alternative media in many countries, it should take into account not only the material bases and social conditions of alternative media conducting in technology, but also different running patters in every country due to its own social context and managers' orientations and running purposes. Thus, while discussing the social practice of alternative media and the ＂strong power＂ of the inter-net, it needs to be further clarified: What is the external historical condition? What is the internal running system? How do the actors identify themselves? Furthermore, what kinds of predicaments exist between the actors and the running systems and how they are in relation to the local culture-political structures? In order to answer questions proposed above, the study will take internet as the major practice field of alternative/independent media and confine case studies to Taiwan and Hong Kong, to explore the three aspects mentioned above and will make cross-nation comparisons as well.