Declined journalist on record - men become focus of smear (7)
I believe the answer is:
receded
'men become focus of smear' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'declined journalist on record' is the wordplay.
'declined journalist' becomes 'eded' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'record' becomes 'rec' (short for record).
'eded' put after 'rec' is 'RECEDED'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for receded that I've seen before include "Moved backwards" , "Ebbed" , "withdrew" , "Went back or retreated" , "Pulled back" .)