Under the broad heading of the alternative press are several subcategories including periodicals published by groups, movements, or individuals affiliated with the U.S. political left. As the word press implies, these are printed publications, as opposed to electronic forms of alternative media.
The alternative press consists of printed publications that provide a different or dissident viewpoint than that provided by major mainstream and corporate newspapers, magazines. and other print media. As long as there have been media there have been alternative media, and the alternative press is a subset of them.