New Corp chief Rupert Murdoch has published a signed apology for "serious wrongdoing" by the News of the World in a series of full-page newspaper adverts.
The ads appear in Saturday's Daily Mail, Financial Times, Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Independent, Sun and Times.
Murdoch says in the advert: "We are sorry. The News of the World was in the business of holding others to account. It failed when it came to itself."
A second advert is expected to appear in tomorrow's newspapers in which Murdoch will outline the steps that News International will take to try and win back the public's trust.
The advert says:
"We are sorry for the serious wrongdoing that occurred. We are deeply sorry for the hurt suffered by the individuals affected. We regret not acting faster to sort things out."
"I realise that simply apologising is not enough. Our business was founded on the idea that a free and open press should be a positive force in society. We need to live up to this."
"In the coming days, as we take further concrete steps to resolve these issues and make amends for the damage they have caused, you will hear more from us. Sincerely, Rupert Murdoch."
Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of News International and former editor of the News of the World, resigned from Murdoch's company on Friday. So too did Les Hinton, a senior News Corp executive.
