Newspaper, perhaps, is about to back electronic device (9)
I believe the answer is:
organiser
'electronic device' is the definition.
(electronic organiser, defunct device)
'newspaper perhaps is about to back' is the wordplay.
'newspaper perhaps' becomes 'organ' (I've seen this in other clues).
'about to' becomes 're' (I've seen this in other clues).
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
're' reversed gives 'er'.
'organ'+'is'+'er'='ORGANISER'
(Other definitions for organiser that I've seen before include "One in charge" , "One making arrangements" , "Manager" , "impresario" , "Co-ordinator" .)