Cardinal points to office where reports are being prepared (8)
I believe the answer is:
newsroom
'where reports are being prepared' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.
'cardinal points to office' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'cardinal' could be 'm' (similar in meaning) and 'm' is present in the answer.
'points' could be 'ws' (two compass points) and 'ws' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for newsroom that I've seen before include "where headlines are made" , "press centre" , "Where reporters work" , "Own Morse (anag)" .)