Crossword Genius

Offshore figure, one blocking direct defamation (7,8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

channel islander

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'offshore figure one blocking' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot tell whether this works.

'direct defamation' is the wordplay.
'direct' becomes 'channel' (channeling is a kind of directing).
'defamation' becomes 'islander' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'channel'+'islander'='CHANNEL ISLANDER'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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