It identifies journalist next to column (6)
I believe the answer is:
byline
'it identifies journalist' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'next to column' is the wordplay.
'next to' becomes 'by'.
'column' becomes 'line' (I've seen this before).
'by'+'line'='BYLINE'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for byline that I've seen before include "Credit for one reporting" , "attribution" , "Credit given author" , "end of play" .)