Fool first journalist to be helped (8)
I believe the answer is:
assisted
'be helped' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'fool first journalist' is the wordplay.
'fool' becomes 'ass' (both can mean a stupid person).
'first' becomes 'ist' (ist resembles 1st).
'journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'ass'+'ist'+'ed'='ASSISTED'
'to' is the link.
(Other definitions for assisted that I've seen before include "Aided" , "to small sibling involved in stormy dates" , "Lent a hand" , "Helped" , "given help" .)