Final answer:
The news that the Beatles used drugs was broken by the media, particularly by an article written by Maureen Cleave. This revelation contributed to the public perception of the Beatles as users of drugs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The news that the Beatles used drugs was broken by the media, particularly by an article written by Maureen Cleave in the London Evening Standard in 1966. In the article, Cleave made a passing remark about the Beatles trying LSD, which sparked immense interest and controversy. This revelation, along with the band members' own admission and subsequent interviews, contributed to the public perception of the Beatles as users of drugs.