Crossword Genius

Journo back before second public meeting (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

demo

'public meeting' is the definition.
(short for demonstration - public protest)

'journo back before second' is the wordplay.
'journo' becomes 'ed' (I've seen this in other clues).
'back' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'second' becomes 'mo' (both are short periods of time).
'ed' backwards is 'de'.
'de'+'mo'='DEMO'

(Other definitions for demo that I've seen before include "illustration" , "Public protest meeting" , "Protest (abbr)" , "Political protest" , "March (abbr)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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