The resignation makes Hinton the second News Corp. executive to step down after Rebekah Brooks, CEO of News International, the corporate parent of News of the World, earlier in the day.

Hinton had been with News Corp. 52 years, and for much of that time played a critical role in Murdoch's media empire. But after Rebekah Brook's departure, he was the next company executive to emerge with a target on his back.

Before heading up Dow Jones, Hinton preceded Brooks as the executive chairman of News International during the same years News of the World was allegedly hacking into voicemails of British celebrities and politicians, as well as a murdered teen girl and the father of a bombing victim.

The FBI is now also getting involved, considering a probe into the news organization amid allegations that Sept. 11 survivors, victims and their families had their voicemails hacked as well.

Hinton announced his departure in a staff memo, saying it is "a deeply, deeply sad day for me." In a separate letter to Murdoch, he apologized for being "ignorant of" the misconduct at News of the World.

"The pain caused to innocent people is unimaginable," said Hinton. "That I was ignorant of what apparently happened is irrelevant and in the circumstances I feel it is proper for me to resign from News Corp, and apologize to those hurt by the actions of the News of the World."