Present order top journalist saw first (9)

I believe the answer is:

predicted

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'saw first' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with communicating as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I don't see?

'present order top journalist' is the wordplay.
'present' becomes 'pr' (I've seen this in other clues).
'order' becomes 'edict' (synonyms).
'top journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'pr'+'edict'+'ed'='PREDICTED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for predicted that I've seen before include "Foretold, forecast" , "Prophesied, forecast" , "foreseen" , "Estimated what would happen" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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