As an example of how to use a leafnode filterfile here's how to set up leafnode to block posts which are cross posted to another news group.
To take one at random
let's use uk.rec.mensa. You add a line to your leafnode config file which reads:
filterfile = /etc/news/leafnode/filters
and then in /etc/news/leafnode/filters you will need:
^Newsgroups:.*[, ]uk\.rec\.mensa$ ^Newsgroups:.*[, ]uk\.rec\.mensa,
It's as simple as that.