What does 'hit the papers' mean?

[Yahiaoui]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #116 "Paper expressions", question 7

As soon as the story about the scandal became known, it didn't take long to ......... the papers.

(a) strike
(b) attack
(c) hit
(d) thump

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #116 "Paper expressions", answer 7

As soon as the story about the scandal became known, it didn't take long to hit the papers.

Correct answer: (c) hit
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I don't see how those verbs could be related to "the papers". So it's a little hard for me to choose the good answer.

[Mister Micawber]

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'Hit the papers' = be published in the newspapers; become news.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's