Penny's dropping off bits and pieces (8)
I believe the answer is:
articles
'pieces' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'penny's dropping off bits' is the wordplay.
'penny' becomes 'p' (short for pence).
'dropping off' is a deletion indicator.
'bits' becomes 'particles'.
'particles' with 'p' taken away is 'ARTICLES'.
'and' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for articles that I've seen before include "Recitals about newspaper features" , "Things, objects" , "Recitals about particular things" , "Recitals for newspaper pieces" , "printed" .)