CBS News has hired a new editor-in-chief as Paramount acquires one of the country's largest independent media companies.

Paramount announced on Monday, Oct. 6 that it will acquire The Free Press, an independent digital media company established in 2021. As part of the acquisition, The Free Press co-founder and CEO Bari Weiss will become CBS News' editor-in-chief.

The Free Press will maintain its own brand and operations, continuing its reporting, video and audio podcasts, according to a Paramount news release .

As part of the transition, The Free Press is offering Free Press "Free Week," lifting its paywall for all readers between Oct. 6-12, the news release states.

Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com .

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