Negotiating meaning in land conflict: communication dialectics in corporate–community relations

Land conflicts in the extractive industry often involve tensions between corporate legality and community livelihood, creating complex challenges in communication and legitimacy. This study aims to analyze how meaning is negotiated in land conflict between PT Vale Indonesia and the residents of Kuari Hamlet through the role of the External Relations division. Using a qualitative approach with a case study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and document analysis involving 12 informants from corporate, government, and community groups. The findings show that communication functions as a dialectical space characterized by three main dynamics: the tension between legal and livelihood discourses, asymmetrical communication practices, and the use of humanitarian framing as a strategy for conflict management. While the company relies on formal legal frameworks, the community maintains claims based on historical experience and moral legitimacy. The shift from compensation to humanitarian aid reflects an attempt to manage these tensions but does not fully resolve the underlying inequalities.