Hired journalist following split (6)
I believe the answer is:
rented
'hired journalist following split' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'hired journalist following split' is the wordplay.
'hired journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor. I am not sure about the 'hired' bit.**).
'following' says to put letters next to each other.
'split' becomes 'rent' ('rent' can be a synonym of 'split').
'ed' after 'rent' is 'RENTED'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for rented that I've seen before include "Let for money" , "Leased" , "Taken for hire" , "Hired - tender (anag)" .)