The man who invented the World Wide Web is alarmed at what's happened to his creation and is urging an all-out battle on fake news.

"It's too easy for misinformation to spread on the web," wrote 61-year old British computer scientist Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the founder of Web Foundation.  "Through the use of data science and armies of bots, those with bad intentions can game the system to spread misinformation for financial or political gain."

Sir Tim wants "data gatekeepers" such as Google and Facebook to step up their efforts to control fake news.  But he wants to accomplish this while avoiding the creation of any central bodies that mandate what is "true" or not, which would simply add incentive to nefarious efforts to control reality's narrative.

"We must fight against government over-reach in surveillance laws, including through the courts if necessary," he said.  "We need more algorithmic transparency to understand how important decisions that affect our lives are being made, and perhaps a set of common principles to be followed."

Late last year, Facebook made it easier for users to report fake news and began a program to use third-party fact checkers.  At the same time, Google introduced a new AdSense policy for publishers to prevent fake news sites from generating ad revenue on its platform - banning 200 AdSense publishers of crapola in the process.

Berners-Lee wants to see regular users taking a more active role in keeping things real.

"I imagined the web as an open platform that would allow everyone, everywhere to share information, access opportunities, and collaborate across geographic and cultural boundaries," Berners-Lee said.  "In many ways, the web has lived up to this vision, though it has been a recurring battle to keep it open."