Final answer:
Juan believes the media favors Democrats due to the hostile media effect, where individuals with strong partisan views feel the media is biased against them, leading them to prefer media sources that confirm their own beliefs, like Fox News for Republicans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Juan is a Republican who, because of what is known as the hostile media effect, perceives the media to favor the opposing political viewpoint, which in his case would be the Democrats. The hostile media effect is a phenomenon where individuals with strong partisan views believe that the media is biased against their viewpoint, despite it being neutral or even catering to their bias. This perception can be intensified by the current media landscape, where individuals tend to seek out news sources that confirm their own beliefs, a process that contributes to political polarization.
Considering Juan is a Republican and trusts certain media outlets like Fox News, which are known to have a conservative lean, the correct answer would be: a) The hostile media effect; Democrats. Fox News is inclined toward Republican views, and audiences of different political leanings tend to gravitate toward media outlets that align with their perspective. The hostile media effect explains why Juan might perceive the overall media as favoring Democrats, even if there is widespread availability of both liberal and conservative media sources.