briefing vs. clearing

[Honda]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #37 "A Public Figure", question 6

His agent spent a lot of time ......... the press on his background in the hope that they would present a balanced view.

(a) training
(b) briefing
(c) showing
(d) clearing

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #37 "A Public Figure", answer 6

His agent spent a lot of time briefing the press on his background in the hope that they would present a balanced view.

Correct answer: (b) briefing
_________________________

CLEARING?

Honda

[Yankee]

Hi Honda

If you brief members of the press on or about something, you provide information about a particular topic to them.

If you clear members of the press, that might mean, for example, that you give your OK that members of the press are present. Or a judge might clear members of the press of a crime (i.e. the judge pronounces them innocent).

You cannot clear someone on a topic and that's why the word clearing does not fit the test sentence.

I hope that answers your question.