Make sad reporters follow notes (7)
I believe the answer is:
depress
'make sad' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'reporters follow notes' is the wordplay.
'reporters' becomes 'press' (members of the press).
'follow' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'notes' becomes 'de' (two musical notes).
'press' put after 'de' is 'DEPRESS'.
(Other definitions for depress that I've seen before include "Sadden" , "Make downhearted" , "Cause to feel dispirited" , "Make sad or gloomy" , "Make dejected" .)