Crossword Genius

Converted cardinal hosts society correspondent (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

newsman

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'society correspondent' is the definition.
'newsman' can be an answer for 'correspondent' (thesaurus). I am not certain of the 'society' bit.

'converted cardinal hosts' is the wordplay.
'converted' becomes 's' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'cardinal' becomes 'newman' (s9th-century Cardinal John Henry Newman).
'hosts' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are welcomed or hosted).
's' inserted into 'newman' is 'NEWSMAN'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for newsman that I've seen before include "Reporter" , "Journalist" , "Press person" , "he reports" , "who sells rags" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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