There's always a lapse before it's read (4,3)
I believe the answer is:
riot act
'read' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for riot act that I've seen before include "something read to little devils?" , "Statute against rowdy behaviour" , "One read to the unruly once" , "Old law designed to disperse a mob" , "legislation delivered to the mob" .)