Work in secret a reporter sent back (7)
I believe the answer is:
operate
'work' is the definition.
('operate' can be a synonym of 'work')
'in secret a reporter sent back' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'sent back' says the letters should be written backwards.
'etarepo' is hidden within 'secret a reporter'.
'etarepo' reversed gives 'OPERATE'.
(Other definitions for operate that I've seen before include "Work - perform surgery" , "Make function" , "Control, run, a mcahine say" , "Work, run" , "Perform surgery or run a machine" .)