Crossword Genius

Ruler sent this writer back to reporters (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

empress

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'ruler' is the definition.
(female emperor)

'writer back to reporters' is the wordplay.
'writer' becomes 'me' (the person who wrote the clues).
'back' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'to reporters' becomes 'press' (members of the press).
'me' reversed gives 'em'.
'em'+'press'='EMPRESS'

'sent this' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for empress that I've seen before include "Female ruler" , "In Victoria, say" , "Delilah?" , "Josephine, for instance" , "She rules over vast territories" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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