Begged for directions to handle journalist (9)
I believe the answer is:
entreated
'begged' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'directions to handle journalist' is the wordplay.
'directions' becomes 'en' (east and north).
'to handle' becomes 'treat' ('treat' can be a synonym of 'handle').
'journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'en'+'treat'+'ed'='ENTREATED'
'for' is the link.
(Other definitions for entreated that I've seen before include "Pleaded" , "Asked earnestly" , "Beseeched" , "organised petition" , "Appealed earnestly, begged" .)