This introductory chapter offers a brief overview of the macro-level effects of digitalisation and platformisation observed in recent decades by scholars. We note that the academic community and the public have assessed these impacts differently, with the former stressing negative outcomes and the latter framing innovations in communication technology as “progress”. Further, we suggest that recent distortions in the public sphere have attributed new connotations to old concepts such as free speech, media diversity, and participation. Finally, in search of strategies to safeguard and advance human rights, democratic institutions, and the ideal of the common good in contemporary digital societies, we introduce the three main sections of the volume, including the foundations and context, diversity, engagement and governance, as well as platform power and artificial intelligence