Expired identification returned by top journalist (4)
I believe the answer is:
died
'expired' is the definition.
('die' can be a synonym of 'expire')
'identification returned by top journalist' is the wordplay.
'identification' becomes 'ID' (abbreviation).
'returned' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'top journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'id' written backwards gives 'di'.
'di'+'ed'='DIED'
(Other definitions for died that I've seen before include "Stopped living" , "Passed away" , "Expired" , "faded" , "Passed from life" .)