Inferential or renarrative mood: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inferential_mood

Not always intended as sarcastic, but:

The main body of the news report tends to use the renarrative correctly - but sometimes, again, it is intentionally avoided. (...) This is because, due to its ambiguity, the renarrative in such cases could be perceived as a passing of judgement or expression of doubt by the reporter...