Newspaper article spread bit by bit (9)
I believe the answer is:
piecemeal
'bit by bit' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'newspaper article spread' is the wordplay.
'newspaper article' becomes 'piece' (synonyms).
'spread' becomes 'meal' (I've seen this in another clue).
'piece'+'meal'='PIECEMEAL'
(Other definitions for piecemeal that I've seen before include "Bit by bit; unsystematic" , "taken bit by bit" , "a little at a time" , "by degrees" , "Claim epee in gradual unsystematic way" .)