Object when odd journalist comes round (5)
I believe the answer is:
demur
'object' is the definition.
(to demur is to object to something)
'odd journalist comes round' is the wordplay.
'odd' becomes 'rum' (rum can mean strange or dubious).
'journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'comes round' says the letters should be written backwards.
'rum'+'ed'='rumed'
'rumed' reversed gives 'DEMUR'.
'when' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for demur that I've seen before include "Balk" , "Raise scruples" , "Hesitation" , "Protest mildly, show reluctance" , "Raise mild objection" .)