Investigative reporters from several African countries launched the new Investigative Reporters Africa (IRA) network during a brainstorming session in Johannesburg last week, the Media Institute of Southern Africa said on Tuesday. The IRA would function as an independent professional association of working journalists committed to improving pan-African reporting standards and access to information. "IRA's founding members have committed the organisation to promoting effective, ethical and original investigative reporting that moves beyond mere muck raking in favour of more systematic and issue-based reporting in its proper context," the organisation said in a statement.