Map finally needs east-west indication? That is obvious! (9)
I believe the answer is:
platitude
'indication? that is obvious' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'map finally needs east-west' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'map' could be 'plat' (synonyms) and 'plat' is found in the answer.
'east' could be 'e' (synonyms) and 'e' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for platitude that I've seen before include "Trite remark made as if it were important." , "Licence" , "Banality" , "Trite statement" , "Common place, say" .)