Government clear press network (8)
I believe the answer is:
gridiron
'network' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'government clear press' is the wordplay.
'government' becomes 'g'.
'clear' becomes 'rid' ('rid' can be a synonym of 'clear').
'press' becomes 'iron' (ironing is a kind of pressing).
'g'+'rid'+'iron'='GRIDIRON'
(Other definitions for gridiron that I've seen before include "The field of play in American football" , "Support for grilling food" , "Football pitch" , "Used for grilling or American football" , "on which Lawrence was roasted" .)