Journalist in charge backs first, second and third decrees (6)
I believe the answer is:
edicts
'third decrees' is the definition.
'edicts' can be an answer for 'decrees' (I've seen this before). I'm unsure of the 'third' bit.
'journalist in charge backs first second' is the wordplay.
'journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'in charge' becomes 'ic' (abbreviation for 'in charge').
'backs' indicates one should take the final letters (I've seen 'back of' mean this).
'second' becomes 's' (common abbreviation).
The final letter of 'first' is 't'.
'ed'+'ic'+'t'+'s'='EDICTS'
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for edicts that I've seen before include "Official orders or proclamations" , "Proclamation" , "'Decrees, orders (6)'" , "Decrees by authority" , "Orders proclaimed by an authority" .)