Reporters accept old wife has skill (7)
I believe the answer is:
prowess
'skill' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'reporters accept old wife' is the wordplay.
'reporters' becomes 'press' (I've seen this before).
'accept' is an insertion indicator.
'old' becomes 'o' (common abbreviation eg in OE for Old English).
'wife' becomes 'w'.
'o'+'w'='ow'
'press' placed around 'ow' is 'PROWESS'.
'has' is the link.
(Other definitions for prowess that I've seen before include "Great ability or daring" , "Ability, expertise" , "Skill, expertise; bravery" , "Bravery in battle" , "Acquired skill(s)" .)