Journalist given chop (4)
I believe the answer is:
hack
This clue is a double definition.
'journalist' is the first definition.
(thesaurus)
'chop' is the second definition.
('hack' can be a synonym of 'chop')
'given' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for hack that I've seen before include "try to access unauthorised data" , "Cut roughly; old horse" , "Chop - reporter" , "Tired old horse" , "Kick on the shins" .)