Chronicler looks briefly for an audience (5)

I believe the answer is:

pepys

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'chronicler' is the definition.
(17th-century diarist Samuel Pepys)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for pepys that I've seen before include "Samuel, diarist, d. 1703" , "Journalist" , "Famous English diarist" , "English diarist and naval administrator, d. 1703" , "Samuel -, English diarist" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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