American journalist subjected to exploitation (4)
I believe the answer is:
used
'subjected to exploitation' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'american journalist' is the wordplay.
'american' becomes 'us' (abbreviation for United States).
'journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'us'+'ed'='USED'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for used that I've seen before include "Previously owned by another" , "Prepossessed, perhaps" , "Put to a purpose" , "Sued, having been employed" , "Pre-owned" .)