James M. Margolin, an F.B.I. spokesman in New York, declined to comment on the inquiry.

A Justice Department spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. It was unclear if the investigation remained open.

According to the Journal article, the bribery accusations came out of a broader investigation into News Corporation’s practices. In early 2012, American officials discovered claims that at least one Journal employee in China had given bribes in exchange for news. The paper said those gifts went well beyond the standard exchange of drinks and meals between sources and journalists and included more costly gifts of entertainment and travel.

If these charges were found to be true, they could violate the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which spurred the Justice Department’s original investigation into the company.

Ms. Keve suggested the claims had been made to discredit The Journal’s reporting in China. “We are extremely proud of our important and impactful coverage coming out of China,” she said, “and regret that some unknown source has sought to taint that work. We remain committed to vigorously covering news out of the region and will continue to support the excellent work of our journalists operating in that very challenging environment.”

The latest investigation caps two years of legal headaches for News Corporation, beginning with revelations of the use of widespread phone hacking at the company’s News of The World tabloid in Britain, which was shut down in July 2011. Dozens of journalists have been arrested in several overlapping investigations. Rebekah Brooks, former editor of News of the World and former chief executive of News Corporation’s British newspaper division, has been charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.