Crossword Genius

Blocked journalist behind table (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

countered

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'blocked journalist behind table' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'blocked journalist behind table' is the wordplay.
'blocked journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor. I am not sure about the 'blocked' bit.).
'behind' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'table' becomes 'counter' (counter is a kind of table).
'ed' after 'counter' is 'COUNTERED'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for countered that I've seen before include "Opposed" , "returned" , "Contradicted" , "Answered a chess move" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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