Ridicule journalist returning before journey (6)
I believe the answer is:
deride
'ridicule' is the definition.
(to deride is to ridicule or mock)
'journalist returning before journey' is the wordplay.
'journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'returning' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'before' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'journey' becomes 'ride' (riding is a kind of journeying).
'ed' back-to-front is 'de'.
'de'+'ride'='DERIDE'
(Other definitions for deride that I've seen before include "Test performance" , "Speak of with contempt" , "Jeer, belittle" , "Poke fun at" , "Mock, scorn" .)